Investigating brain mechanisms linking HIV, depression, and opioid use disorder
Official title: Neuroimmune mechanisms involved in the complex co-morbidity Involving OUD, MDD, and HIV
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11083360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV, depression, and opioid addiction affect each other in the brain, specifically in a part that helps with emotions and thinking, to better understand these connections and improve care for people dealing with these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $751,043 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA062540-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV who also have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and/or opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIV or those who do not have co-occurring MDD or OUD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the complex relationships between HIV, major depressive disorder (MDD), and opioid use disorder (OUD) by examining the brain's cellular and molecular mechanisms. Using advanced techniques like multi-omics and histological analysis on postmortem human brain tissues, the study focuses on the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, a region associated with emotional regulation and cognitive function. The goal is to uncover how these disorders interact and contribute to each other, which has been largely overlooked in previous studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for individuals affected by HIV, depression, and opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on these disorders individually, this approach examining their intersection in human brain tissue is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Logan, Ryan W — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Logan, Ryan W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.